The Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium erupted in cheers as Manu Bhaker stepped onto the flag‑bearer platform, the Indian flag glowing against the backdrop of the Asian Games opening ceremony.
Bhaker, who has etched her name into history as the only Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympics, had already taken bronze in both the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol at Paris 2024.
The late Jaspal Rana, her former coach and a former shooter himself, died on June 11 at 49 after battling cancer. He once told her that she could only attend opening ceremonies if she was the flag‑bearer, otherwise she should watch on TV. That rule made the moment all the more poignant.
When the flag was hoisted, Bhaker paused, eyes glistening, and whispered, “Missed you, Jaspal sir.” The crowd sensed the weight of her words, and the stadium hummed with a quiet reverence.
Now back in the athlete’s village, she is sharpening her focus on the forthcoming competitions: women’s 10m air pistol, women’s 25m pistol, and the 10m air pistol mixed‑team event. The next challenge is the 10m air pistol final, set for Friday at 10:30 a.m.